In our Standing Orders, when a Bill has passed through all its stages in the Seanad and has been received in the Dáil, it shall be set down for Second Reading. The Second Reading of this Bill must, accordingly, be moved.
DYESTUFFS (IMPORT REGULATION) REPEAL BILL, 1923. - FROM THE SEANAD.
In the absence of the Minister for Industry and Commerce, I beg to move the Second Reading. The Bill is a model of brevity and clearness and is absolutely non-controversial. It consists of only two Sections.
took the Chair at this stage.
It will be within the knowledge of Deputies that the Dye-stuffs Act of 1920 was passed to protect the British dye-making industry against German competition. I think it is also generally admitted that the Germans were able to produce the best dyes obtainable. So far, we have no dye-making industry to protect, and the restriction on importation, so far from being an advantage, is a disadvantage to the Saorstát. I might also mention that a proposal to repeal the Act has been considered by the Fiscal Inquiry Committee, which has reported that it is satisfied that many advantages to trade and industry would accrue from the removal of restrictions on the import of dye-stuffs. I therefore move the Second Reading.
I am glad that this motion has come forward, and that it will become law. It is, I hope, the first fruits of the work of the Fiscal Commission, and it is, at least, one sign that Commissions are not entirely useless. It will, perhaps, encourage Ministers to pay attention to the Reports of Commissions. I think that the benefits that may be derived from this will depend entirely upon the trade policy of Great Britain. I think that the Ministry is well advised in removing this obstacle in the way of Irish manufacturers getting advantage out of the changed relations between the two countries.
Question put and agreed to.
Further stages ordered to be taken to-day.
The Bill was put through its further stages and passed.